L.A. Metro Breaks Ground on Airport Connector Project
The $898.6-million project is the ninth station along the Crenshaw/LAX Line and will connect directly with the Los Angeles World Airports Automated People Mover project.
Officials gathered to celebrate the beginning of work on the Airport Metro Connector station that will serve as the transfer point between the Metro system and the LAX Automated People Mover.
L.A. Metro
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) began construction June 21 on a new rail station designed to directly connect the Metro system to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
The $898.6-million Airport Metro Connector Project (AMC) is the ninth station along the almost-completed Crenshaw/LAX Line and will connect directly with the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Automated People Mover project presently being built.
“Everyone traveling to or from LAX should have access to modern, reliable public transportation that gets them to their destination on time,” said Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board Chair Eric Garcetti. “The Airport Metro Connector is a historic step toward reimagining how travelers experience our airport — a turning point that will be a source of jobs and economic growth, reduce congestion, and help our airport realize its potential as a world-class gateway to Los Angeles.”
The new AMC station, which will be located at Aviation and 96th Street, will include:
Platforms to access Metro light rail trains.
A 16-bay bus plaza that will serve Metro and other municipal bus operators, including Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, Culver City Bus, Torrance Transit, GTrans (Gardena), and Beach Cities Transit.
A bike hub, private vehicle drop-off zone, and easy access to the LAX people mover.
A new Metro customer service center.
Interactive information kiosks, public restrooms, and commercial space for tenants who will provide passenger conveniences.
The rail station portion of the project will contain two light rail platforms that can be accessed via escalators and elevators, new ADA compliant swing door faregates to allow for smooth passage with luggage, and a full roof covering over the entire platform.
The project has been designed to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold rating with sustainable features that include 550,000-plus kilowatts of solar panels, large native landscaping areas, and electric bus charging stations.
“This is an exciting project that will serve as the ‘Gateway’ to LAX for future generations — just as LAX has long served as the gateway to Southern California for so many millions of people,” said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “The AMC station will also provide multiple connections to the Metro system and will help airport-area employees and travelers easily get to wherever they need to go in our region.”
The LAWA Automated People Mover project is expected to be complete in 2023, and the AMC project is forecast to be completed in 2024.
More Rail
Biz Briefs: Masabi Teams with St. Louis Metro and More
In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Transdev, Hitachi, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.
Read More →
Metra Begins Drone Pilot Project to Boost Safety and Security
The project is funded through a $620,000 grant from FEMA’s Transit Security Grant Program, which provides transit agencies with funding for projects intended to protect critical transportation infrastructure and the traveling public.
Read More →
Austin Transit Partnership Selects Stadler to Manufacture Light Rail Vehicles
The award marks the conclusion of a series of major procurements over 18 months, as outlined in ATP’s delivery plan, and keeps Austin Light Rail on track.
Read More →
The Heart Behind Austin's Light Rail
Why Austin Transit Partnership's Operations and Maintenance Facility could become the most important building in the city's first light rail system.
Read More →
June LA Metro Ridership Surges 2 Million Year Over Year
Total June ridership increased for both weekdays and weekends. Weekday ridership was 953,820, which grew 8.4% from June 2025; Saturdays increased nearly 13% year-over-year to 708,826; and Sundays increased 7.7% to 611,534 from June 2025, according to LA Metro.
Read More →
Keolis and SNCF Voyageurs Bring Rail Expertise to California High-Speed Rail
The CDA establishes a collaborative predevelopment partnership intended to evaluate future delivery opportunities through public-private partnership models.
Read More →
Stadler Marks 10 Years in the U.S. with Salt Lake City Expansion
The expansion is expected to create up to 300 new local jobs, some of which are youth apprenticeships, said Stadler officials.
Read More →
MBTA Selects STV to Support Battery-Electric Locomotive Procurement
The firm's seven-year contract includes end-to-end support from bid review and selection through procurement, production, and testing.
Read More →
Executive Order Aims to Improve Transit Access Across California
The order directs state agencies to streamline transit project delivery, improve coordination, and expand access to bus and passenger rail services across California.
Read More →
California High-Speed Rail Advances Merced–Madera Construction Procurement
The procurement represents a major expansion of active high-speed rail construction.
Read More →